By David Newman

Have you been to the playground at Lyon Park after a good rain?  The high tide stems from a stream running under the park.  Years ago there was a pond in the park!  Recognizing that our playground is well-loved and well-used, but aging, a Playground Committee, under the auspices of the Lyon Park Community Center’s Board of Governors and the Lyon Park Citizens Association, is working on a plan to address the water issues, add child-and environment-friendly play surfaces, and upgrade the aging playground equipment and picnic areas.

The Committee’s work is led by our neighbor Mark Ilich.  New committee members are still welcome, as the Committee continues to seek community input and begin fundraising.  Fundamental principles of this project include: (1) we want to protect our tree canopy, (2) any new gardens must be low maintenance, focusing on resilient native plants, (3) we want to protect open areas of the park, as much as possible, (4) we want community input, but there will be a cutoff, allowing plans to move forward; (5) funding will come from donations or perhaps some small grants; and (6) no phase of work will begin until we have funds to cover the cost.  For more information about the project, check out our website at https://lyonpark.org/explore/parks-green-spaces/lyon-park-playground-renovation/.  You also can look for information tables at some Lyon Park community events, watch for future articles in the Lyon Park and Ashton Heights newsletters, and keep an eye on the LP and AH community list servs.  To get involved, send an email to Mark Illich at milich@mkdevelopmentllc.com.  You also can contact the Lyon Park Board of Governors at LPCCGovernors@gmail.com, if you have questions.

If you were not able to visit the playground renovation informational tent at the egg hunt, you will have at least two more opportunities to learn about the plans.

Representatives of the Playground Committee will present at the LPCA meeting on Wednesday 5/13 at 7:00 pm.

An informational tent and people who can answer your questions will also be in Lyon Park during the Spring Fair on Saturday, May 16th.